High Court To Kerala Transport Dept: Take Immediate Action Against Modified Vehicles With Extra Lights, Wider Wheels, Loud Exhausts

When the current government came to power in Kerala, many young automotive enthusiasts were optimistic because it had promised to legalise certain vehicle modifications in the state. Last month, Kerala Transport Minister C. P. John even revealed a tentative timeline for when some modifications could be made legal. However, the Kerala High Court has now sought responses from the State Transport Commissioner and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) regarding the growing issue of unauthorised vehicle modifications, including illegal lights, oversized wheels, and modified exhaust systems.

The observations were made on Tuesday by a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. The Bench took note of several videos circulating online that showed vehicles fitted with illegal auxiliary lights, including strobe lights, which are permitted only on emergency vehicles. The court observed that such modifications have become a social media trend, with many vloggers uploading videos showcasing these illegally modified vehicles.

The Bench further noted that the concerned authorities were not taking adequate action against either the illegally modified vehicles or their owners. According to the court, such modifications not only distract other road users but also pose a serious risk to pedestrians and motorists.

A major focus of the hearing was the use of illegal and excessively bright lights on vehicles. The court discussed this issue while referring to a recent accident in Kannur, in which five young passengers lost their lives. Based on the videos that surfaced after the incident, the court observed that the driver of the Honda City sedan may have been temporarily blinded by the bright headlights of an oncoming vehicle.

The court directed the concerned authorities to examine the issue seriously and take appropriate action against those violating the rules. It also noted that two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable to the misuse of high-beam and excessively bright aftermarket lights.

Many vehicle owners upgrade their headlights after purchasing a new car, primarily to improve visibility while driving at night. Given the poor lighting on many Indian roads, this is understandable to some extent. Anyone who has driven on Indian roads after dark knows that many stretches are inadequately illuminated, prompting drivers to use high beams more frequently in an attempt to improve visibility.

However, many motorists fail to realise that driving continuously with high beams can severely affect the vision of oncoming drivers and riders. When these bright lights shine directly into another driver’s eyes, they can temporarily impair visibility, increasing the risk of accidents.

Some owners go a step further by installing extremely bright aftermarket lighting systems that do not comply with legal standards. These lights are significantly brighter than permitted and can create even greater hazards for other road users. The High Court has now directed the authorities to take strict action against vehicle owners using such illegal lighting equipment.

Apart from lighting-related violations, the court also raised concerns about vehicles fitted with oversized tyres that protrude beyond the wheel arches. Such modifications are illegal because they increase the overall width of the vehicle and pose a safety risk, particularly to two-wheeler riders and vehicles travelling in the opposite direction. The Bench stressed the need for stricter enforcement against these unauthorised modifications in the interest of road safety.